Open Air Business April 2017

FUNCTION VENUES
MUTA
TRADITIONAL MARQUEE
Traditional marquees go
under a number of names -
pole tents, soft tops (not to
be confused with big tops
or circus tents), or guyed
marquees. This style of
marquee has vertical timber
‘king poles’ running down the
centre line of the structure,
vertical ‘wall poles’ around
the perimeter, and guy ropes
that run from the top of the
wall poles to the ground,
creating tension in the roof
fabric.
They all have one thing
in common in that the main
structural element is the
cover itself. Most traditional
marquees use cotton based
fabrics as the covering, but
PVC coated polyester is
popular too. While traditional
marquees can be as wide
as 120 feet, most hirers will
switch to frame marquees for
widths above 40 or 50 feet (12
or 15 metres).
Traditional marquees are
a popular choice for private
functions and events such
as agricultural shows and
village fêtes. The combination
of the traditional look and
feel of pole tents and the
breathability of natural fibres
means that this type of tent
is still as popular as ever and
still represents a significant
slice of the market in the UK.
Over recent years, we
have seen the introduction
of American traditional and
sailcloth tents, which add an
interesting visual dimension
to this sector.
Know Your
Structure
A rundown of temporary demountable
structures for functions from MUTA, the
UK's only trade association dedicated to
marquees, tents and structures
FRAME MARQUEE
Frame marquees, where a
semi rigid frame provides the
structural stability, mostly use
synthetic fabrics as a covering
so as to avoid the problems
created by shrinkage and
expansion of natural fibres.
Frames can be of wood,
steel or aluminium tubing
or, as is the case with most
modern frames, box section
aluminium. This latter type
is often referred to as a ‘clear
span’ structure and can be
up to 50 metres wide with no
intermediate pole supports
(hence the name).
The uninterrupted internal
space of frame structures
makes them very popular for
a wide variety of events from
private functions, through
corporate hospitality to large
exhibitions.
Because they have a solid
frame this type of marquee
can accept a higher level of
accessories, such as doors,
windows, rigid side panels
and sophisticated flooring
systems. Consequently, the
move, of late, has been to an
ever-increasing standard of
finish and comfort, so much
so that many guests do not
realise that they are actually
in a marquee. This level of
sophistication, together with
their structural stability, has
encouraged the recent trend
to extend the traditional
marquee season beyond the
summer into the autumn
and, indeed, the industry now
erects marquees 12 months of
the year.
Not all frame structures are
inherently safe and there are
many ‘home made’ varieties
out there in the market place
that are neither safe nor
attractive. While standards for
structural stability do exist, it
is difficult for the authorities
to police all events,
particularly those on private
property. MUTA members are
obliged to follow the correct
standards.
GIANT STRUCTURE
(OVER 30M WIDE)
Generally defined as large span
aluminium frame or tensioned
pole tents that are in excess
of 25 metres wide. These can
be 30/40/50 metre span frame
tents, usually needing the aid
of telescopic plant or cranes
to erect and dismantle. These
are specialised structures
and only very few hirers are
competent to deliver them
safely.
MULTI-DECK STRUCTURES
Multi-deck structures can
be either double, triple or
quad level structures. The
top floor is of a standard
clear span aluminium frame
design with the lower floors
being constructed from an
integral steel upright and
horizontal beam system. As
with giant structures, these
are specialised structures
and only very few hirers are
competent to deliver them
safely.
18 WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM